DIY Housing Door and Lighting Questions

[skipeople]

Try to keep it short:

I'm gonna upgrade my boy from a 40 gal breeder to a 4x2x2. I don't like the usual sliding doors because of how they overlap and have that weird spot down the middle. Has anyone used the swivel magnetic glass doors on their vivs? Seems like the easiest thing to do to keep the glass out of the way and as clear as possible for viewing! And what is the suggested thickness of the glass?

For lighting, I was thinking of cutting specific spots out of the top and adding in screen for the lighting. Someone said it was easier and better to have the lighting in the viv with a fully solid top. I live in an apartment and I worry about that posing more of a fire hazard. Any thoughts on this? And if it is better to have inner lighting, how exactly is that wiring done? I don't have experience with electrical wiring.

Additionally, I am making a viv/stand combo. Is it better to make them connected piece or to build them separately and stack them?

Woo, that's a lot. Sorry! THANKS guys!

 

[stang8689]

I am currently building a crossfire enclosure, I also hate the gap in the center, I wanted a clean clear view.What I am doing and requires some special tools is a hinged framed glass door that raises up. After lots of thought I decided that having the hinges at the top will eliminate it opening on its own as if you hinged it from the bottom. I screwed the 3/4" melamine together and used my router table to make some nice oak trim all the way around. On the front I have 3/4" oak framed around the edges connected to the side and top trim to add strength. I am doing to make an oak frame, like a picture frame for the front, I am using a special router bit to use concelled cabinet hinges. Basically its a 1 1/2" wide 3/4" oak with a simple roundover on each end with a rabbit cut on the inside to put the glass like you would a picture in a frame. I am also looking for a locking scissors hinge for the sides to keep it up when cleaning. Also mount the light inside is a must, I would make the stand seperate,looks better to me

 

[stang8689]

Also wiring is so easy. I just did mine today. I installed a 36" T8 fixture which has the plug already. For the basking I went with a dual flood light combo in case of extra heat in the winter. I got it at home depot for $14 the hole kit. I went to Walmart bought 2 $1.28 6' household extension cords. The floodlight kit includes wire nuts, each light is 2 wires. Take the extension cord and cut the end off, looking at the plug trace the bigger prong and splice it to the white wire, the other to the black. twist the wire nut on and put some electrical tape on it. Do you have the crossfire plans?

 

[skipeople]

That's a good idea, but a bit over my head. I'm gonna bug my dad until he agrees to help with it! My biggest concern with inside lighting is the increased risk of a fire gazed. I am just paranoid like that! And I am hoping any long fixture can be used for the t8 because the zoomed ones are crazy expensive! Thanks for your input!!

 

[stang8689]

I just bought a 36" T8 fixture at lowes for $30, going to use a Repti 10.0.Cant imagine a fire if done right, its really easy